trick9
Registered User
- Jun 2, 2013
- 12,748
- 6,023
I don't think it is a crazy idea to let Carlson be picked up the expansion draft or walk/get traded in 2018.
He's a good D, but I don't think he ever was, or ever will be, a stellar #1 guy. I think his time has passed for that. He should have established himself as a premier #1 like two years ago. He's been good, but he hasn't been exceptional.
Washington actually hasn't been fortunate with a #1 D man since Green. Even he was quickly hit with injuries and never really recovered from it.
I think the closest they have is #9. I been high on him for years now. Look at my post history and you'll see pimping him up-- Even when he was throwing pizzas up and down the ice. He's been really maturing and I think he's got a bigger chance of becoming a #1 guy than Carlson-- or any other Dman on the roster at this point. While I don't think he'll be a Norris guy, I think he's going to be a very, very solid blue-liner.
#88 is built for the new-new NHL. He's got really good wheels and will only improve in other aspects of this game. He's gotta get better at hitting the net, in my opinion. He's scored some goals, but many of his shots seem to just go wide of the net. Yesterday he show-cased that by missing a very nicely setup play. But he's going to establish himself as a Top4 by next season for sure. I don't think he's going to regress.
Check again.
Carlson lead all D's in even-strength points and finished top-10 in Norris -voting 2 years ago. Last year he had 8 goals and 39 points in 56 games. How much is that over 82 games without that unfortunate injury? Hell even that 39 points take him into #1D territory already and he had a very under-whelming year.
He is absolutely a #1 D. Just inconsistent one. I don't think Orlov has potential to become a #1 D so the choice between them is pretty obvious to me.
I like Schmidt too but Playoffs are all that matter really and year ago one of the guys were arguably our best player in the Playoffs, and the other one got scratched for his terrible defensive play. Keeping Carlson over Schmidt is an absolute no-brainer to me.